My painting of Harry Thomas baking at Town House Spitalfields was completed from smaller studies painted across several sessions at Town House on Mondays, when it is closed to the public and Harry bakes Queen Cakes for the tea shop. Harry wore a beautiful shirt with a slightly gleaming detail, which reminded me of the clothing of Renaissance sitters. Obviously, it got flour on it during the process. Harry was baking and moving, but kept returning to the same spot so that I could paint him. I chose to paint him grating orange peel, as he was best able to hold the pose at this point. The kitchen smelt of spices, citrus and baking as we both worked. The light levels were fairly consistent, with light filtering down through a basement window and the glow of lamps and copper providing visual warmth.
Harry Thomas Baking Queen Cakes at Town House
2024 Oil on linen
61 x 46 cm unframed (24 x 18″)
71 x 56 cm framed (27.5 x 21.5″)
£1,350